Walleyes also move to necks, where two lake basins are joined by a narrow stretch. Currents established by wind and temperature set up in necks, and this moves baitfish into “eddy” areas where the neck opens up. Wind concentrates walleyes in these areas behind weed or rock points and in corners where the neck opens into the basin. In absence of wind or noticeable currents, walleyes scatter throughout the neck area and usually along both shorelines, which suggests trolling. After a windy day (note the wind direction during the day, as winds tend to lay down at night), casting might be the ticket.
Walleyes are up and about at night to feed. They don't tend to poke around in 2 feet of water when they're not hungry. That implies crankbaits. Whenever the odds say walleyes will be up and biting, crankbaits should be a first choice. Specifically, minnowbaits and variants thereof are optimum, designed to fish 4 feet down and less, or a little deeper with some weight applied. A #3 split shot or two will carry an average floating minnowbait, like the F-13 Rapala, down to 5, 6, maybe 7 feet on a long line.
When trolling is the key tactic, floating minnowbaits shine during this time frame. Optimum gear includes a 7- to 8-foot medium-fast medium power spinning rod, a moderate spinning reel with 8- to 10-pound mono or 10- to 20-pound braided line, depending on fish depth. Mono is thicker and resists the pull of the crankbait more, keeping minnowbaits higher in really shallow spots. Braids are thinner and allow minnowbaits to probe deeper. Braids, with such small stretch factors, are much more sensitive, allowing you to feel anything -- a leaf or piece of weed -- that fouls the action of the crankbait, even when the lure is back 200 feet (though 80 to 150 feet is preferred most of the time).
Some baits float up faster than others. The balsa Bagley Bang-O-Lure pops up quickly, which is good in shallow water when a slow, steady presentation needs to stay up a little higher to clear weeds, bad when walleyes show a preference for stop-and-go tactics. Plastic minnowbaits, like the Spro Prime Minnow 45, stay in their faces a little better on the pause. And if the water's deeper than 4 feet, a suspender like the Rapala Husky Jerk shines.
The best trolling speeds are slow -- usually less than 2 mph with an occasional breakneck burst of speed up to 3 mph to trigger wary fish. Kick the motor out of gear and just coast periodically to slow the bait way down, forcing followers to make a decision. Trolling passes should work back and forth between the 4-foot contour (where weeds allow) and the 8-foot contour, until a pattern develops. Placing markers on points and inside turns before dark can be tremendously helpful where the weedline wanders in and out.
A FEW CASTS
Sometimes walleyes concentrate at night, and casting becomes key. Casting is stealthier and allows you to pick your way around a school without spooking them all. Pier walls, shallow reefs, corners and points in the weedline, and similar spots can group walleyes tight, especially after a windy day or two. The best way to start the night usually remains trolling. But when you're picking up a walleye on each rod every time you pass a certain spot -- time to drop the bowmount trolling motor and cast.
